Possibly move from Zone 1 to Oxted - what's Oxted like and what do you think of this flat?

[Newhouse76]

What is Oxted, particularly the centre like to live in? There seem to be a few restaurants and pubs which look nice and a few independant shops. Would I be bored moving from London?

Our Zone 1 flat is presently for sale as DH and I are divorcing.

DS will be attending a school not far from Oxted next year.

Am wondering whether to move closer to the school - he would have travelled from Zone 1 or weekly boarded - and I would travel back to zone one for work 3 days a week Buying in Zone one is not an option for me!

I have seen this flat:

www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-52201867.html

But can't work out if it's expensive for the area as there don't seem to be a huge number of flats around.

Any opinions would be appreciated please before I drive myself mad on Rightmove! Will also post in chat for
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No experience living there, but I did work there 14 years ago. To be fair Oxted isn't much bigger than its centre - it's a fairly small town. I don't think there would be much going on in the evenings if you are used to London. Large Morrison's, and a small, but decent swimming pool. I think there is still a small cinema, but not sure on that one. It's advantages are obviously its setting, close to beautiful countryside. It's easy to drive into Croydon or East Grinstead. Trains aren't too bad and you can get to East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Victoria fairly easily, but not all are fast. London Bridge is rush hour only I think.
There are very few flats around. Property is generally large and expensive.

Thank you, that's helpful

Any other thoughts anyone?

Bit boring. V v diff from zone 1. Think about how you will make friends. You will need to join something esp if you are not at the school gate.

It is pretty quiet and provincial. How old is Ds? Apart from the cinema and sports centre there isn't a lot going on for teens. When you say the school is close, I suspect it still may not be that close to Oxted and you may find better value in another area.

Yes, Sorry, quiet and provincial much better description. Was thinking of it from point if view of difference from zone 1 and teen demands.

I'd be fine. DS wouldn't.

But, if your DS is going to school in the area, at least you won't have to drive far to chauffeur between parties.

The school sounds unlikely to be in Oxted itself and schools beyond (I'm assuming independent as you have got a place secured already) cover a wide geographical spread so you could easily be chauffeuring around.

Ds boards weekly near oxted ..There is definately not much to do for teens in evening..very tiny cinema ..Small gym ..but for adults who appreciate the countryside and a quiet life it's Ok ....lovely Moons pub next to Morrissons !

For the same price you could get a 3 bed house in Orpington (25 mins to LB, plus loads of other destinations like Victoria, Charing Cross etc). This may not be the most desirable architecture but is very good value for the area: and is a nice part of Orpington: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36939210.html also you are on an easy and very short train ride to the independents in Sevenoaks (and also up the line to Dulwich) Zone 5 so good for commuting and lots of shops, restaurants and life nearby so a big change from zone 1 but less of a change to small village life of Oxted which I've visited on nice summer days on a short drive out to the country but prefer my suburbs and all the conveniences that brings.

Good luck with the move. If you do decide to look in this area do feel free to ping me a PM of anything you are looking at as I know Orpington and Petts Wood very well.

Correction, Orpington is zone 6, Petts Wood zone 5!

Oxted is lovely but very quiet and out in the sticks. I live about 10 mins from there in a nice village that is easier to get to Croydon and London. Depends what lifestyle you want to be honest.

www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/oxted/hoskins-road/?num_months=12&property_type_code=F

Zoopla is always your friend...

www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/browse/rh8/?q=Oxted%20RH8

That's a better search criteria I think. But I don't know the area at all.

Have a play and see what you think.